Compressing mechanism.



No. 758,253. PATENTED APR. 2e, 1904.

f w. M. HoLMEs. y GGMPRESSING MBGHANISM.

APPLIUATION FILED MAY 27. 1901.

2 sums-slum 1.

N0 MODEL.

No. 758,253. PATENTED APR. 26, 1904.

- w. M. HOLMES;

COMPRBSSING MBGHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED HAY 27, 1901.. `1W() MGDBL. 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

amm NW UNITED STATES Patented April 26,1904.

PATENT OFFICE.

WATSON M. HOLMES, OF HOOSICK FALLS, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR, BY

MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO PLANTERS UOMPRESS COMPANY, A COR- PORATION OF MAINF..

GowuelalsSING.. MECHANISM' SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 758,253, dated April 26, 1904.

Application filed May 27, 1901.

. sick Falls, in the county of Rensselaer and State of New York, have invented a new and useful Co'mpressing Mechanism, of which the following is a specification.

This inven tion relates to compressing mechanism.

The object of the invention-` is to provide means which are simple and eicient for properly presenting the material to be compressed to the compressing mechanism.

'A further object of theinvention is to provide means whereby the feed of material to be compressed to the compressing apparatus may be adjustably regulated to vary asdesired the density of the material'toward the periphery ofthe compressed mass.

A further object of the invention is to provide means for bracing Vthe parts or sections of the cap or head plate to prevent the twistingrof the same out of place during the operation of the apparatus.

Other objects of the invention will appear more fully hereinafter.

The invention consists, substantially, in the construction, combination, location, and arrangement of parts, all as will be more fully hereinafter set forth, as shown in the accom'- panying drawings, and finally pointed out in the appended claims. Y

Referring to the accompanying drawings,

Vand to the various views and reference-signs appearing thereon, Figure 41 is a view in top plan of an apparatus embodying the principles of my invention; Fig. 2 is a view in longitudinal central section on the line 2 2 of Fig. 1 looking in the direction of the arrows. Fig. 3 is a detached detail view in sideelevation of a section of the feed-hopper.

The same part is designated by the samev reference-sign wherever it occurs throughout the severalviews.

In the Patents Nos. 581,600 and 581,601, granted April 27, 1897, to George A. Lowry, and Nos. 630, 369 and 630,374, granted August 8, 1899, to George A. Lowry, is shown, de-

Serial No. 62,001. (No model.)

scribed, and claimed a type of press embody-- ing in itsVA generic construction a slotted cap or head plate and a compression sleeve or holder, these parts. being mounted for relative movement. In. the practical operation of a press embodying these generic features the chamber or holder is first filled by hand or otherwise with a suitable filling material to a point such as to enable the filler to exert some pressure against the inner surface of the cap or head plate. The material to be compressed is then fed or otherwise suitably delivered to or adjacent to the slot or slots in the head-plate or cap, and the fibers thereof are caught or engaged by the material previously introduced to the compression chamber or holder and which bulges up into the slot or slots, and such additional or loose material is drawn throughl the slot or' slots into the compression chamber or holder in the form *of thin sheets, which are flattened, condensed,

and highly compressed and from which the airis expelled during the passage thereof through the slot or slots, andby reason' of the relative movement vof the cap or head plate and the chamber or holder these thin condensed compressed sheets are superimposed upon the mass contained in the chamber or holder and upon themselves in layers, thus building up the mass endwise. The resistance opposed to the advancement of this compresed mass due to the accretion which each layer adds to the mass of compressed material serves to effect a'ndmaintain-a compression of the layers or sheets upon each other and to prevent rexpansion of the compressed column or mass endwise.

The present invention relates vto press of this type, and, referring to the accompanying drawings, P designates. generally the slotted cap or head plate, and R the compression chamber or holder, these parts being mounted for relative movement in the manner set forth in the patents above referred to.

In the Patent No. 630,374,above mentioned,

is disclosed a construction of cap or head plate wherein such cap or head plate is made up. of sections, s aid sections being offset from from the geometric center of the cap.

each other along their meeting edges to form 'the feed-slots and interlocking with each other at their ends to eficiently brace themselves, the feed-slots terminating a short distance With such construction it developed that sometimes the fiber of the material being compressed would be caught at one end in one slot and at the other end in another slot. This was true particularly of material having long fibers and occurred more often at the inner ends of the slots where adjacent slots come into close relation with each other. This bridging of the material across from one slot to another resulted in the formation of a hard lump in the center, which was undesirable.

In Patent No. 653,735, issued July 17, 1900, to me is set forth, described, and claimed a construction of sectional cap or head plate wherein the feed-slots extend to the center of the cap or head plate and open into each other at their inner ends, thus permitting any liber which may bridge from one slot to another during the operation of the machine to slide olf the ends ofthe sections of the cap or head plate and to be drawn into the cornpression sleeve or chamber. I have found, however, that in the operation of. a compressing apparatus employing a sectional cap or head plate arranged to form feed-slots, which feed-slots are continuously open to the center, a twisting strain is imposed upon the sections of the cap or head plate at the center of such plate, tending to displace or turn the sections about the bolts which secure such sections to the head-plate-supporting ring or frame. Such strains also injure the threads upon such securing-bolts or twist or bend such v bolts, rendering it difficult to remove the sections for replacement or repair or other purpose.

The first feature of my invention relates particularly to means for avoiding the objection noted and will now be described.

Reference-sign A designates the supporting ring or frame for the head-plate sections P, and B designatesthe strengthening-ribs, the ribs B and sections P being secured or bolted to the head-plate by suitable bolts C.

D designates a ring or plate suitably sup-l ported or mounted upon ring A or other convenient part of the framework. Adjustable abutments, which, if desired, may be in the form of set-screws E and F, are arranged to engage the outer ends and sides of the sections P of the head-plate. These adjustable abutments may be suitably tapped or screwed into the ring D o1' other suitable or convenient part of the framework. In the particular form shown, to which, however, my invention is not to be limited or restricted, the set-screws E are tapped into seats formed in the ring D, and the heads of suchl set-screws are' arranged to bear against the edge or side of the sections of the head-plate at the outer ends of the latter, and the screws F are tapped through ears or lugs G, formed in ring D, and bear against the outer end of the sections P of the headplate. In this manner the sections of the head-plate may be efliciently braced to resist the twisting strains imposed thereon at the inner ends thereof during the operation of the apparatus, and hence relieving the securingbolts C of undue strain. Any wear on the parts may be taken up by the adjustable abutments. It is obvious, as above indicated, that the adjustable abutments E F may be mounted in any specific manner without departure from the spirit and scope of my invention.

In Patent No. 662,451, issued November 27,

1900, to George A. Lowry, is set forth, de- A scribed, and claimed a construction employing an adjustable deiiector for so regulating the feed of the material to the compressing apparatus that the density of the compressed mass at the periphery thereof may be regulated, varied, and controlled, the desired regulation being effected by adjusting the angle of inclination of the defiector with reference to the slots in the cap or head plate and by adjusting the deiiector toward and from the extreme outer end of the plate, thereby so regulating the feed of the material through the slot as to overcome the tendency for a greater l quantity of the loose material to be drawn through a feed-slot and into the chamber at the outer end of the slot than toward or at the inner end. This tendency is due to the fact that in the first place by reason of the greater radius the relative movement of the cap-plate and of the compressed mass increases from the center outwardly and is greatest at the, outer ends of the slot, and hence the tendency is for more material to be drawn into the chamber at this point. Moreover, the slots draw from a greater area at the outer ends than at the inner ends thereof. One feature of the present invention relates to means for effecting this desired regulation of the feed at the outer ends of the slots in the head-plate, and in carrying out this feature of my invention I embody the same in a feed hopper or basket, which I will now proceed to describe. The hopper is formed in an upper and a lower part, the upper part being designated by refence-sign H. The lower part is made up of sections J, arranged to rest on their ends upon the cap or head plate and the lower ends thereof being cut out, as at K L (see Fig. 3) to accommodate the blocks B. At its upper end each section J is provided with a lateral flange M, arranged when said sections are assembled in basket relation, as shown in Fig. 2, to form a support upon which the upper part H of the hopper rests, said upper part being provided with a ring or plate N, over which the fiange M of the sections J engages. The ring N is provided with projections O, and the sections J are provided with a coperating projection S. A bolt Q, is arranged to IOO IIS

be passed through said projections O S, and a spring is mounted thereon and interposed between said projections. A nut T, mounted upon the projecting threaded end of bolt Q, underneath projection S, serves as a ymeans for adjusting said projections toward and from each other, thereby adjusting the sections J of the basket or hopper. At their lower ends the sections J rest upon the cap or head plate at points adjacent to the outer ends of the slots in the cap or head plate. and by suitably adjusting nut Tthe angle of inclination of said sections J with reference to the slots' may be adjusted, and said sections may be adjusted at the lower ends thereof along and over the outer ends'of the slots, thus securing the desired regulation ofthe density of the compressed mass at the outer periphery thereof in the manner set forth in the patent to Lowry, No..662,45`l, above referred to. The spring A'. which is interposed between the projections O S, provides a means for yieldingly maintaining the sections J of the hopper or basket in adjusted relation. Lugs B C on projections or plates O S may serve to limit the relative movement of the basket or hopper sections J with respect to the upper portion H of the hopper.

It is desirable in machines of the type to which the present invention relates to provide means for effectually crowding or pressing the loose material contained in the hopper or basket into close relation with respect to the feed-slots in the cap or head plate. `Many specifically different constructions and arrangements of apparatus for accomplishing this result may be wel] adapted for this p urpose. One form of construction for accomplishing the desired object forms another feature of my invention, which I will now de scribe.

At suitable points upon plate or ring D are journaled pulleys or .sheaves D', spaced suitable distances apart and arranged in encircling relation with respect tothe lower end cf the basket or hopper. Upon each of the sheaves or pulleys D is eccentrically mounted a crankpin E', each crank-pin being in inclined relation with respect to the axis of its supporting sheave or pulley, as clearly shown. Upon each crank-pin is loosely mounted a sleeve F', to which is pivotally connected a feeder-arm Gr. A spring F2 may be interposed between said feeder-arm and sleeve to yieldingly maintain said feeder-arm in one limit of its movement about its pivotal connection to said sleeve. Each feeder-arm G is arranged to project through a vertical slot or opening H' in the hopper-sections J, as clearly shown, and over a feeder slot or opening J in the cap or head plate. Theinner end of each feeder-arm is bent into angular relation with respect to the stem or shank of such arm, and the parts are so arranged that when the eccentric crank-pin E is at about the intermediate position of its travel in an outward direction the bent ends K I of the feeder-arms -will lie in close proximity to and parallel with theupper surface of the Acap or head plate and also in parallel relation started. The arms are now in their highest position and advanced about half-way into the hopper or basket. vFurther movement of the pin E in the direction of the arrow causes the arms to be projected farther into the hopper and at the saine time in a downward direction. Somewhat of an orbital movement is thereby described, as clearly indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 2, thus mosteectually crowding or pressing down the loose material to be `compressed into close relation with respect to the vfeed-slotsjto enable the fibers of suchrmaterial to be grasped or gripped in t-he manner described in the patents referred to and drawn through the feed-slots. The withdrawal of the feeder-arms .while in their lowermost position and their projection inwardly into the feed hopper or basket when in their raised position enables said arms to effect their object lof crowding Aor pressing the loose material down toward the feed-slots-on the downward movement thereof without carrying the mass of loose material contained in the hopper or basket upwardly during the upward movement thereof, as will be readily understood. The sheaves or pulleys D may be rotated in any'suitable or convenient manner. I have shown a simple and convenient arrangementV wherein all of said pulleys or sheaves are simultaneousl y actuated by means of a belt or band L', arranged to passaround and in peripheral engagement with said sheaves or pulleys, and motion or rotation may be imparted to any one or more of said pulleys. In the form shown I suitably journal a shaft M in the bracket N' and mount upon said shaft a sprocket or other gear O', to which rotation may be imparted from any convenient source or rotating part of the apparatus. A gear P IOO is mounted upon the inner end of shaft M and arranged to bear with and drive a gear Q',

mounted on or formed with a pulley or sheave By thus imparting positive rotation to one of said pulleys or sheaves simultaneous rotation is imparted to the other vpulleys or sheaves through the belt connection L. A belt-tightener R may be arranged to maintain a desirable tautness upon the belt or band L', said `belttightener being ,mounted upon a frame S', adjustably mounted upon plate or ring Dwas, for instance, by means of a slotand-bolt connection, the slot being indicated at AQ/and the bolt at B2. A rod C2 may be mounted in said frame S and be operated through a lug or projection D2 of bracket N'. A spring E2 may be mounted on rod C2 and interposed between a nut F2 and said projection D2, thereby yieldingly maintaining the belt-tightener R in engagemen'tvor bearing relation with respect to the belt or band L. It is obvious, however, that many other specifically different forms of construction of belt-tightener vmay be employed without departure from the spirit and scope of my invention. I have shown a pulley or sheave D' and a feed-arm associated with each feed-slot J of the cap or head plate. It is obvious, however, that feeders and their operating mechanisms may be varied in number as desired. I do not desire, therefore, to be limited in this respect.

Many variations and changes in the details of construction and arrangement would readily suggest themselves to persons skilled in the art and still Yfall within the spirit and scope of my invention. I do not desire, therefore, to be limited or restricted to the exact construction shown and described; but,

Having now set forth the object and nature of my invention and a construction embodying the principles thereof and having described such construction, its function, purpose, and mode of operation, what I claim asnew and useful and of my own invention, and

desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is-

l. In a compressing apparatus, the combination with a compressing sleeve or chamber of a cap or head plate, said cap or head plate being composed of sections, and adjustable abutments for said head-plate sections, as and for the purpose set forth.

2. In an apparatus of the class described, a cap or head plate composed of sections, in cornbination with adjustable abutments arranged for bearing between the frame of the machine and outer ends of said sections, as and for the purpose set forth.

3. In an apparatus of the class described, a cap or head plate composed of sections, in combination with set-screws arranged to bear against the outer ends of said sections to adjustably support said sections against shifting or twistingstrains, as and for the 'purpose Set forth.

4. In an apparatus of the class described, a cap or head plate composed of sections, a supporting ring or plate, and adjustable abutments carried by said plate or ring and arranged to bear against said sections, as and for the purpose set forth.

5. In an apparatus of the class described, a cap or head plate composed of sections, a supporting ring or plate, and set-screws carried by said supporting ring or plate and arranged yto bearagainst said sections, as and for the purpose set forth.

6. In an apparatus of the class described, a

feed-hopper having its walls-composed of adjustable sections whereby the feeding end of the hopper may be varied in size, as and for the purpose set forth.

7. In an apparatus of the class described, a feed-hopper having its walls composed of adjustable sections whereby the feeding end of the hopper may be varied in size, and means for adjusting the positions of said sections and retaining them in their adjusted positions, as and for the purpose set forth.

8. In an apparatus of the class described, a feed hopper or basket composed of an upper and a lower part, said lower part made up of sections and when assembled forming a support for said upper part, as and for the purpose set forth. j

9. In an apparatus of the class described, a feed-hopper consisting of an upper and under portion, the under portion supporting the upper portion and having its walls consisting of adjustably-inclined sections, as and for the purpose set forth,

10. In an apparatus of the class described, a feed-hopper composed of an upper and a lower section, said lower section being sectional, said sections when assembled forming a support for said upper' portion, lugs or projections respectively connected to said upper and lower portions, and adjustable connections between said portions, as and for the purpose set forth.

11. In an apparatus of the class described, a feed hopper or basket comprising an upper and a lower portion, said lower portion being sectional, ears or projections formed on said sections, coperating projections carried by the upper portion of said hopper, bolts adjustably connecting said portions, and a spring interposed between said projections, as and for the purpose set forth.

l2. In an apparatus of the class described, a feed hopper or basket composed of an upper and a lower portion, said lower portion being sectional, ears or projections formed in said sections, cooperating projections formed on said upper portion, limiting lugs or stops formed on said projections, and means for adjustably connecting said proj ections,as and for the purpose set forth.

V13. In a compressing apparatus, a slotted cap or head plate, a sheave or pulley, a crankarm eceentrically mounted thereon and in inclined relation with respect to the plane of rotation thereof, a feeder-arm connected to said crank-arm,v and means for rotating said sheave or pulley, as and for the purpose set forth.

14. In an apparatus of the class described, a compressing apparatus including a slotted cap or head plate, sheaves or pulleys arranged in encircling relation with respect to said cap or head plate, 'a pin. eceentrically mounted upon each of said sheaves or pulleys, a feeder-arm pivotally connected to each pin, and means for rotating said sheaves or pulleys, as and for the purpose set forth.

IOO

IIO

I compressing mechanism, a basket or hopper having' slots in the sides thereof, a series of pulleys or sheaves arranged in encircling relation with respectto said hopper, a crank-pin eccentrically mounted upon each sheave or pulley, a feedcr-arm pivotally connected to each crankpin, said feeder arms operating through the slots in said hopper or basket, as and for the purpose set forth. i

16. In an apparatus of the class described, a cap or head plate having radial feed slots or openings therethrough, feeder-arms having bent ends arranged to operate adjacent to the slots in said cap or head plate, operating -sheaves or pulleys for said feeder-arms, said sheaves or pulleys provided with crank-pins to which said arms are pivotally connected, said crank-pins being in inclined relation with respect to the plane of rotation of said pulleys, and means for rotating said pulleys, as and for the purpose set forth.

17 In an apparatus of the classv described, a slotted cap or head plate, a series of sheaves or pulleys arranged in encirclingrelation with respect to said cap or head plate, feeder-arms pivot-ally connected eccentrically to said sheaves or pulleys, means for driving one of said pulleys and a belt or band operating around all of said pulleys, as and for the purpose set forth.

18. In an apparatus of the class described, a

'slotted cap or head plate, a series of sheaves or pulleys arranged in encircling relation with respect to said cap or head plate, feeder-arms pivotally connected to said sheaves or pulleys eccentrically, means for driving one of said pulleys or sheaves, a belt 4or band operating around all of said sheaves or pulleys, and a tightener for said belt or band, as and for the purpose set forth. v

19. In an apparatus of the class described, a sheave or pulley, a crank-pin mounted on said sheave or pulley in inclined relation, asleeve loosely mounted upon said crank-pin, and a feeder-arm yieldingly pivoted to said sleeve, as and for the purpose set forth.

20. In an apparatus of the class described, a

yfeed-hopper composed of an upper and a lower section, said lower section being sectional, there being hinged connections between the several sections 'of the lower portion and the upper portion, arranged to permit the several sections to be swung toward or from the center of the hopper, as and for the purpose set forth.

21.l In an apparatus of the class described, a cap or head plate composed of independentlymovable sections having feed-slots between the sections, in combination with means for Y bracing said sections against stresses in a plane perpendicular to the direction of compression, as and for the purpose set forth.

22. In an apparatus of the class described, a cap or head plate composed of sections, said sections being arranged with feed-openings between them extending to the center of the head-plate and opening into one another, supports for the sections, a lpivotal connection between each said section and its support, and adjustable abutments arranged for bearing between the support and the ends of said sections, as and for the purpose set forth.

23. In an apparatus of the class described, a head-plate composed of sections, said sections being arranged with feed-spaces between them and-being independently adjustable in position, one with respect to another, and -means for securing the sections in position when so adjusted, as and for the purpose set forth.

24. In an apparatus ofthe class described, a head-plate having slots or openingsfor material to be vfed through it, said head-plate be-Y ing composed of sections independently adjustable in position one with respect to another, and means for securing the sectionsin position when adjusted, as and for the purpose set forth.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand, this 23d day of April, 1901, in the presence of the subscribing witnesses.

WATSON M. HOLMES.

Witnesses:

WM. M. RHEEM, EvERETT E. KENT. 

